Installation Guide For Laminate Bathroom Panels

Laminate Bathroom
Panel Installation
Instructions

LAMINATE PANELLING 3
3
INSTALLATION GUIDE 3
3
Contents 5
5
1. Inspection 6
2. Storage 7
3. Handling 8
4. Planning & Preparation 9
5. Panels 10
6. Accessories 11
7. Tools & Fixings 11
8. Fitting Tips 11
9. Two Sided Shower Installation
10. Three Sided Shower Installation
11. Full Room Installation
12. Bottom & Skirting Details
13. Window, Door & Finishing Details
14. Cleaning

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1. Inspection
Panels must be thoroughly inspected upon receipt for damage or visible defects. The panels are supplied
with a protective clear film to the decorative face, this should be peeled back to check for damage or
discrepancies in colour where necessary then replaced to provide protection during installation.

Do not install panels that you find to be defective.

Once the panels or profiles have been cut or installed we regard this as an acceptance of their quality and
suitability for purpose and therefore we cannot accept any subsequent claims for faults or damage. For
full details of terms and conditions please visit www.wetwall.com

2. Storage
Panels should always be stored flat to avoid bowing. Prior to installation the panels, adhesives and
sealants should be conditioned for a minimum of 48-72 hours in the area in which they are to be installed
or an environment of similar temperature and humidity. Drastic changes in conditions can cause the
panels to bow and twist irreversibly.

• Panels should never be stored outside.
• Wetwall Panel Adhesive should be stored in cool dry conditions between 5 - 25°C.

3. Handling
Laminate panels have extremely sharp edges and we advise that suitable gloves be worn for protection
when handling and installing them.

4. Planning & Preparation
Before you undertake any type of installation it is always wise to carry out a degree of planning that might
save you a lot of time and grief later on. Below are some points that may help.

4.1 Walls
Wetwall can be fitted to almost any surface including plaster
board, existing tiling, concrete, chipboard & plywood sheathing
and plaster providing the surface is sound, plumb and level.
Some surfaces do require pre-treatment before installation, tiles
should be de-greased and fresh plaster should be sealed with a
proprietary PVA sealer.

If your walls aren’t plumb and level then this can achieved by
using softwood timber framing [min. ex 50 x 25mm].

The timber framing should be fixed horizontally, giving support to
the panels at the top and bottom and at a minimum of 500mm
centres between. The frame should be packed out where required
using spacers or packing wedges to achieve a plumb and level
surface.

Additional framing should also be provided where heavier items
are to be fitted through the panels.

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4.2 Services
Necessary pipe work should be fitted and short tails left where they are to pass through the panels.

Electrical cabling should be in place and routed to avoid subsequent fixing points.

Shower trays and baths should be fitted in position, these should also be sealed in accordance with the
manufacturers recommendations.

5. Panels
All panels are 11mm thick overall (nominal) and are supplied with a clear plastic protective film.

Shower Panel Width/Height Edge Detail Weight (approx.)
1200mm x 2400mm Square
Shower Panel 900mm x 2400mm Square 24Kg
*585mm x 2400mm Tongue & Grooved 18Kg
Wall Panel 11.7Kg
*width of decorative face

6. Accessories

Wetwall profiles come in *2420mm lengths and are available in Satin Anodised Aluminium (SAA), white,
polished silver and black finishes (unless otherwise indicated). It is recommended that Wetwall Silicone
Sealant and Adhesive is used for all installations.

End Cap External Corner Internal Joint

H Joint 2-Part Bottom Profile - Floor 2-Part Bottom Profile - Wall
(White only) (White only)

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7. Tools & Fixings
Tools and fixings that you will need to install the panels include –

• Jigsaw, circular saw or hand saw
• Screwdriver
• Mastic Gun
• Measuring tape & pencil
• Masking Tape
• Panel Adhesive
• Silicone Sealant

8. Fitting Tips

8.1 Sizing & Cutting
Before cutting you should make sure that you have taken into account any allowances for profiles that are
to be used which are shown below.

When cutting the panels to width and height using a jigsaw with an ‘up-cut’ blade or
with a circular saw then the decorative side of the panel should be facing down.

If cutting using a hand saw then the decorative side should be facing up.

8.2 Adhesive application
When applying adhesive to the back of the panel to be fitted to a continuous surface
we would recommend a 6mm bead applied just inside the perimeter and then zig-
zagged down the middle.

8.3 Masking

Preparing the panels with masking tape before sealing can save a lot of time cleaning
off excess sealant later on in the installation, especially at the bottom joints where a
larger coved seal will be formed.

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8.4 Adhesive & Sealant Beads
By cutting the nozzle of the panel adhesive or silicone tube at an angle you direct the flow to make
application easier. The higher up the nozzle you cut the larger the diameter of the bead that will be
applied. As a guide –

2mm for a sealant bead on the front lip of a tongue &
grooved panel.
6mm for most profile joints. This will give a 2mm deep
bead in the bottom of a profile channel.
Bigger for adhesive application depending on wall
surface.

8.5 Sealing at the bottom
If a Wetseal profile is not being used then a 3mm - 4mm gap must be left
between the bottom of the panel and top of the shower tray or bath, this can be
achieved by using packers when fixing panels. The gaps should then be sealed
ensuring that the silicone is forced into the void.

8.6 Sealing at apertures & Cut-outs
A clearance gap of 2-3mm all around should be allowed where pipes or fittings come
through the
panel even where collars are to be fitted. The gap
should then be filled with sealant.

8.7 Fitting through Wetwall
Fittings such as shower attachments, screens, towel rails, etc. can be fixed directly
through the panels using suitable fixings. Heavy items will need solid fixing points
behind the panels to provide the necessary support, these should be considered
when planning your installation.

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9. Two Sided Shower Installation – Steps

The following steps assume that the panels and trims have been cut to the required size and that they
have been dry fitted to check assembly and that if Wetseal profiles are being used they have been fitted
as detailed in the Wetseal installation instructions.

Internal Corner End Cap 1. Fit an internal corner profile (a) into the corner
Panel using appropriate fixings, if using screws then
ensure that the heads are countersunk to prevent
Bottom Seal fouling when fitting the panel.
Shower Tray
2. Apply a bead of sealant into one side of the
internal corner profile, the amount of sealant
applied should cover the channel bottom to a
depth of at least 2mm (6mm diameter bead).

3. Peel back the protective film from the edge of
the panel that is to be fitted. Repeat this on the
opposite edge if an End Cap profile is required
and fit the End Cap to the edge of the panel
using a 6mm diameter bead of sealant.

4. If a Wetseal profile is not being used then a
3-4mm gap should be left between the bottom of
the panel and the top of the shower tray or bath,
this can be achieved by using packers which will
be removed before sealing.

5. Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back
of the panel. Insert the edge of the panel into
the internal corner at an angle ensuring that a
good seal is achieved then swing the panel into
place against the wall applying pressure over the
surface to ensure a good bond.

6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the second panel.

7. Seal the bottom of the panels and any apertures
required as detailed in the fitting tips section or
on the Wetseal installation instructions.

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10. Three Sided Shower Installation – Steps

The following steps assume that the panels and trims have been cut to the required size and that they
have been dry fitted to check assembly and that if Wetseal profiles are being used they have been fitted
as detailed in the Wetseal installation instructions.

End Cap 1. Fit one of the internal corner profiles (a) into the
corner using appropriate fixings, if using screws
then ensure that the heads are countersunk to
prevent fouling when fitting the panel.

Internal Corner 2. Apply a bead of sealant into
the back wall channel of the
internal corner profile, the
amount of sealant applied
should cover the channel
bottom to a depth of at least
2mm (6mm diameter bead).

Panel 3. Peel back the protective film
from the vertical edges of
the back panel. Fit the other
Internal Corner to the opposite
edge of the back panel using a 6mm diameter
bead of sealant.

4. If a Wetseal profile is not being used then a
3-4mm gap should be left between the bottom of
the panel and the top of the shower tray or bath,
this can be achieved by using packers which will
be removed before sealing.

Bottom Seal 5. Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back
of the panel. Insert the exposed edge of the panel
Shower Tray into the first internal corner at an angle ensuring
that a good seal is achieved then swing the panel
back into place against the back wall applying
pressure over the surface to ensure a good bond.

6. Take one of the side panels and peel back the protective film from the edge that is to be fitted.
Repeat this on the opposite edge if an End Cap profile is required and fit the End Cap to the edge of
the panel using a 6mm diameter bead of sealant.

7. Apply a 6mm diameter bead of sealant into the remaining channel of the required internal corner
profile.

8. Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back of the side panel. Insert the exposed edge of
the panel into the internal corner at an angle ensuring that a good seal is achieved then swing the
panel back into place against the side wall applying pressure over the surface to ensure a good
bond.

9. Repeat steps 7-8 for the remaining side panel.

10. Seal the bottom of the panels and any apertures required as detailed in the fitting tips section or on
the Wetseal installation instructions.

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11. Full Room Installation - Steps

The following steps assume that the panels and trims have been cut to the required size and that they
have been dry fitted to check assembly and that if Wetseal profiles are being used they have been fitted
as detailed in the Wetseal installation instructions. Tongue & groove joints must be –

• Dry fitted to ensure they are sufficiently tight and flush
• Sealed with silicone sealant
• Not in direct flow of water

When fitting panels to all the walls in a room or even a single wall wider than 1200mm, consideration
should be given to the position of the joints to avoid having a narrow strip at the end of a run. Where
possible, equalise the panels from a central point so that both ends are of an equal width. The last panel
‘x’ should always be positioned above a door or over a window as the length of the joint will be shorter and
both edges require dressing.

1. Start the installation of your
panels in a corner or at an end by
fixing the appropriate profile in
position.

2. Remove the protruding part of
the tongue from the edge of the
first panel.

3. Locate the panel into the profile then mark the position of
the required fixing points on the other end of the panel.
Pilot bore the back lip of the panel with a No.3 high speed
drill where the screws are to be located to fix the panel to
the framing. (failure to pilot bore may result in the panels
splitting).

4. Apply a 6mm diameter bead of panel sealant into the channel of the profile.
5. Apply a generous amount of panel adhesive to the face of the framing where the panel is to be

fitted.
6. Peel back the protective film slightly then Insert the cut edge of the panel into the profile then

press back onto the framing. Fix the panel in place using M3 x 16mm non-corrosive countersunk
screws. Ensuring that the screws are turned until they are just under the flush to prevent any
obstruction to the tongue of the next panel to be fitted.

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7. Pilot bore the back lip of the next panel. Peel back the protective film from both panels and apply
masking tape to the edges to be jointed. Apply a small bead of sealant (2mm diameter) to the front
edge of the tongue.
• DO NOT put sealant into the groove as this will prevent the joint from closing.

8. With adhesive applied to the framing, locate the tongue of
the panel into the groove of the fitted panel at an angle of about
30°. Ensure that the tongue is located along the length of the
joint then applying pressure in the direction of the joint, swing
the panel back towards the wall until you feel it connect. Check
the joint is flush and level then press the face of the panel back
onto the framing and screw in position.
9. Repeat steps 7 – 8 for subsequent panels.
10. The final joint which has been positioned to fall over a door
way or window will need to be prepared. Before fitting panel ‘a’
the protruding part of the groove should be removed taking care
not to damage the machined edge. The panel should then be
fixed back to the framing with adhesive alone. If door facings are
to be applied after panel fitting then screws which will later be
concealed could be used.
11. Size and cut panel ‘b’ around the door frame and
then fit in place as detailed in steps 7-8.
12. Measure and cut the final panel to size removing
the remaining groove.
13. With adhesive applied to the framing, locate the
tongue of the panel into the groove of panel ‘b’ at
an angle of about 30°. Ensure that the tongue is
located along the length of the joint then applying
pressure in the direction of the joint, swing the
panel back towards the wall until you feel it
connect. Check the joint is flush and level and the
butt joint at the other end is flush then press the
face of the panel back onto the framing. Screw in
position if possible.

12. Bottom & Skirting Details
Depending on the type of installation there can be various options for
finishing the bottom of the panel but in all cases it is essential that they
are sealed adequately.

If the panels are being fitted above a bath or a shower tray, then these
should be fitted first and sealed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations.

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In wet areas we do not recommend that the panels are fitted right down to
the floor, a gap of at least 80mm should be left.

A coved tile or PVC skirting is the preferred option
with the panels sitting on a bottom profile or end cap,
both of which allow the panels to sit on a neat bed of
panel sealant for added protection.

Using a bottom seal will ensure that the silicone will
always provide a barrier against water ingress that
would have a detrimental effect on the panels at
some future date.

If due to the nature of the installation it is impossible
to use a bottom seal then it is essential that the
panels are fitted leaving a minimum 3mm - 4mm
gap between the bottom of the panel and top surface
to be fixed to, this can be achieved by using packers
when fixing panels in place.
The gaps should then be sealed ensuring that the
silicone is forced into the void.

13. Window, Door & Finishing Details
There are various ways of finishing the panelling around windows and doors
which will dependant on the surface the panels have been fixed to, the
window or door framing detail and the look you prefer.

Edges can simply be silicone sealed into
existing frames or capped off with profiles.
Corner joints can be formed using End
Caps or with External Corners, although
this later method can be quite tricky
and requires the profiles to mitred in a
‘standing’ position as illustrated.

14. Cleaning
The panels can easily be kept clean with warm water and a very mild detergent. Where there are more
stubborn stains, please contact the manufacturer’s agent for more specific advice.

• Under no circumstance should you clean your panels with an abrasive cleaner or any other
abrasive material.

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Shore Laminates Limited t. 01738 634455
Friarton Bridge Park f. 01738 441622
Perth e. [email protected]
PH2 8DD